100 Holes Challenge returns for its second summer

Although the longest day of the year happened in June, the golfers participating in this year’s 100 Holes Challenge say that it happened on Monday, July 18th at Sunnybrook Country Club. Or at least it was the longest day of golf!

With several returning golfers including Fox 17’s Tim Doty, the second year of this unique golf outing to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids did not lack committed athletes. Starting at 5am and ending around dinnertime, the 100 Holes Challenge invited golfers to try their hand at hitting 100 holes of golf in one day. Each player had to fundraise at least $750 in order to participate, but many surpassed that number as well as the 100 hole mark.

Last year, there were seven lucky golfers who made it to 100 holes, and two golfers that skipped right past the lofty goal and landed at an event record of 107 holes. This year, six golfers were able to land their 100th hole, and returning golfers J.K. Symancyk and Tom Williams were able to shatter the previous record with a whopping 160 holes (playing two balls at every hole). Regardless of the amount of holes golfed, every player walked away with a Game Bag, which included Texas Hold’em poker chips (donated by Hascall Steel), golf balls, polo shirt, reusable water bottle (donated by Amway), and other game related prizes.  

“It was so great to see so many of last year’s golfers come back, ready and energized to attempt 100 holes of golf in one day for the second year in a row,” said Event Coordinator Sarah Navis. “It was fun to see how everyone interacted and the new spin on the $1,000,000 shoot-out.”

In addition to a new record, this year’s event also provided a new chance for winnings. Golfers were asked to purchase a $10 raffle ticket to be entered into a drawing for a chance to take a shot at a hole in one. If successful, the golfer would win $1,000,000, splitting it in half, of course, with Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. Scott Embree won the raffle drawing and had the chance to make the shot, but he was “pin high” and received a consolation prize instead of the half million dollars.

“I don’t know how they do it,” said Navis. “For the second year in a row, it has been a hot summer day, yet they just keep golfing hole after hole all day long. I don’t know if it is the knowledge that they are golfing for a good cause that keeps them going or because they just love to golf!”

No matter the reason, all the golfers that endured the 100 Holes Challenge lived to tell the tale. If you would like to get involved in planning or participating in the 100 Holes Challenge, please contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids.